Libyan Prime Minister Osama Hammad offered condolences Friday after a volunteer from Malta died during flood rescue and recovery operations in Libya.
In a statement obtained by The Libya Update, Hammad expressed sympathies on behalf of the Libyan government and emergency committee to Malta’s president, government and people.
He specifically addressed the Maltese rescue team that had been working with Libyan officials to find and retrieve victims following recent catastrophic flooding caused by Cyclone Daniel.
Hammad said the volunteer died in an accidental incident on Friday while recovering a victim’s body in the eastern city of Derna, which saw some of the worst devastation from the floods.
Thousands have died and many more remain missing across Libya after the cyclone dumped heavy rains that caused severe flooding. Derna, along with other eastern cities, suffered extensive damage.
Hammad stated the Libyan people will not forget the heroic work of the international teams who have come to assist Libyan authorities with rescue and recovery operations during this crisis.
The prime minister wished safety upon all those carrying out the vital, but dangerous work. Recovery efforts continue as more bodies are found in the flood waters and debris.
The death toll continues rising as the mammoth task of finding and identifying victims persists more than a week after the cyclone.